Road Cycling - Going on my first ride w/clipless pedals right now!!!

Got my Speedplay X3's yesterday and practiced this morning. I can release very easy and I'm getting better at entering them. I'm going for a ride this morning and will probably limit myself to 15 to 20 miles and see how I feel. I just hope I'm able to release ok when some fatique sets in. Anyways, thanks again to everyone for great input.

I'll let you all know how I do when I get back.

Well did you embarass yourself? It was my 6th or 7th ride when I went down. That's been the only one and enough of one that I unclip without hesitation if the situation vaguely warrants it. Enjoy the pedals. They make a wonderful difference.

well? well??! did they work?

i've been riding clipless for about a month now and, at the risk of jinxing myself, i have yet to fall over. i've had a couple of minor moments of panic, but my pedals are pretty easy to get in and out of (Time ATAC Carbon [MTB pedals] with road shoes and road bike). oh and i've been riding total two months, so it's not like i've spent years in the clips and just made the switch.

i'm one of those people who always looks like he's about to fall over, and never quite does. :)

How did it go "bman"?

I could never think about going without the clipless. When adjusted properly they are great. Like everything else, a little time and a little practice go a long way.

Maybe he liked them so much he decided not to return home.

Hey guys.......give Mr. bman more time!! Who knows, maybe he liked the "walking on ice" feeling of the speedplays so much so that he decided to ride out of that hot 100 degree Valley, over the Sepulveda Pass, head west into Santa Monica all the way to the beach bike path, head south all the waaaaaaaay down to Laguna Beach! We'll hear from him this evening.....

Hey I'm back!!! Very good ride. Went 18 miles and had an AVS of 18.2 mph which is getting better & better for me...All went well with the pedals... I didn't fall or make a fool of myself!! Kind of scary..lol Very happy with the X3's! Now I'm a real road rider I guess..lol

The Fixer, My girlfriend lives on the other side of the Pass...she says if she ever sees me on the other side of the pass on my bike, she's done with me...I already lost too many girls back when I was drag racing, so maybe I've learned, I guess time will tell. :)

Well I promised my girlfriend I would take her Salsa dancing tonite...so I guess I saved my embarrassing moments for tonite. LMAO

Just don't wear your new shoes out dancing!

:)

Hmm...wear my Sidi's tonite? lol , very cool... I think I'll stick with my Skechers for the club scene, but I'm sure I'll get some miles out of the Sidi's!

what spot on the shoe are the pedals located with clipless? I just switched from platform to platform with clips, and the clips are really uncomfortable. The pressure transfer is at the front part of my foot, which I am not used to at all. I keep trying to jam my shoe as far into the clip as possible.

Originally posted by bman
Well I promised my girlfriend I would take her Salsa dancing tonite...so I guess I saved my embarrassing moments for tonite. LMAO
Gotta keep your girlfriend happy... I can't dance jack.......my wife's really into the salsa scene so she goes out with the girls couple three nights a week here in LA. I'll stick to cycling.

George

Originally posted by brent_dube
what spot on the shoe are the pedals located with clipless?

The cleats should be positioned so that the centerline of spindle of the pedal is pretty close to being right under the ball of your foot. Some people make a slight adjustment fore or aft to suite their riding style. This is no different than how your foot should be positioned in any pedal be they clipless or not.


Originally posted by brent_dube
I just switched from platform to platform with clips, and the clips are really uncomfortable. The pressure transfer is at the front part of my foot, which I am not used to at all. I keep trying to jam my shoe as far into the clip as possible.

Yes, among my many other criticisms of toe-clips and straps is the one you described. I did ride (even offroad :eek: ) them for a good many years before switching to clipless when the first MTB clipless systems came out. Clipless pedals should for the most part remove hotspots from the top of your foot however you will need high-quality shoes with a good tongue design to get rid of it completely and a stiff sole to make sure you don't get hotspots in the bottom. I have been pretty happy with Lakes and Sidis.

Originally posted by bman


The Fixer, My girlfriend lives on the other side of the Pass...she says if she ever sees me on the other side of the pass on my bike, she's done with me...I already lost too many girls back when I was drag racing, so maybe I've learned, I guess time will tell. :)
LMAO

my ex g/f said that if I go riding one more time, she'd leave me... man, I miss her.... wait... not not at all !!

I'm looking to get the same pedals... sounds like you like them so far ?

Jeff

Originally posted by bman

The Fixer, My girlfriend lives on the other side of the Pass...she says if she ever sees me on the other side of the pass on my bike, she's done with me..
...hmmmm....I'm curious. Am I missing something on the other side of the pass?

George

I had 2 moments when I totally forgot about the clipless pedals and came to a complete stop only to fall completely over while still attached to my pedals. No damage done, it was a little funny. That was years ago. I ride with an old set of look pedals and love it. I can't even imagine riding without clipless.
My wife loves the fact that I ride my bike as much as I do. She knows how important it is to get out and stay active. She doesnt want to be married to a fat couch potatoe.
Keep riding, enjoy life.

Just got back from ride # 2 with my Speedplay X3's...I went 28 miles on the streets and had no probs...Still having a slight struggle re-entering, but otherwise I'm very happy with the X3's...I would highly recommend them to any rookie rider or first timer on clipless pedals...Now I'm gonna put some Frogs on my Mtn bike.

Have fun all!